Abstract
The study investigated the effects of slackline training (rope balancing) on balance,
jump performance and muscle activity in children. Two primary-school classes (intervention,
n=21, INT: age: 10.1 (SD 0.4) y, weight: 33.1 (4.5) kg; control, n=13, CON: age: 10.0
(SD 0.4) y, weight: 34.7 (7.4) kg) participated. Training was performed within 6 weeks,
5 times per week for 10 min each day. Balance (static and dynamic stance), countermovement
jumps, reverse balancing on beams (3, 4.5 and 6 cm width), slackline standing (single-
and double-limb) and electromyographic activity (soleus, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior)
were examined. INT significantly improved single- and double-limb slackline standing
(double limb: 5.1 (3.4) s–17.2 (14.4) s; right leg: 8.2 (5.8) s–38.3 (36.0) s; left
leg: 10.6 (5.8) s–49.0 (56.3) s; p<0.001; 0.17<ηp²<0.22). Reduced left-leg dynamic sway (−20.8%, p=0.06, ηp²=0.10), improved 4.5 cm balancing (+18.5%, p=0.08, ηp²=0.10) and decreased muscle activity during slackline standing for the mm. soleus
(−23%, p=0.10, ηp²=0.18) and tibialis anterior (−26%, p=0.15, ηp²=0.14) was observed for INT. Jump performance remained unchanged (p=0.28, ηp²=0.04). In conclusion, daily slackline training results in large slackline-specific
balance improvements. Transfer effects to static and dynamic stance, reverse balancing
or jumping performance seemed to be restricted.
Key words
postural control - exericse - intervention - postural sway - EMG
